Regulation of Bax mitochondrial localization by Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL: Keep your friends close but your enemies closer

► Bax mitochondrial localization is not sufficient to trigger its activation and MOMP. ► Bcl-2, not Bcl-xL, stimulates Bax oligomerization. ► Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL can favor Bax presence in mitochondrial membrane while keeping it inactive.